Reddy truly did not care about the rumors targeting him.
Loguetown was just a place for him to accumulate wealth in his plans, with minimal impact.
Although he did not know which faction was spreading the rumors, he understood their purpose.
On one hand, it was to shake the hearts of Loguetown's residents.
There were two possibilities here.
One possibility was that the other party hoped to create chaos in Loguetown, and the first step was to undermine the residents' trust in him.
The other was to tarnish his reputation, thereby leading nations around the world to reject him.
On the other hand, it was to incite panic and persuade residents to leave Loguetown.
People were the most valuable asset.
Population loss was a devastating blow to any kingdom.
Even though most nobles viewed commoners as ants.
The reborn Loguetown was a different story. Currently, the residents were so busy they barely had time to eat.
If population loss occurred, Loguetown would inevitably suffer heavy damage, possibly even becoming abandoned.
Of course, this was the other party's delusion.
Reddy acknowledged that they had indeed pinpointed the key issue, targeting him specifically to disrupt the reborn Loguetown.
But he also knew that the other party seemed to misunderstand human nature.
First, Loguetown's superior geographical location meant that any merchant ship intending to enter the Grand Line needed to dock on the island for repairs, supplies, and recruiting sailors, among other things.
Sailing was not a trip to an amusement park.
Ships endured the trials of wind and waves on the open sea. If they did not dock promptly for repairs, it would pose a significant risk to the next leg of the journey.
At the same time, the sailors on board were living people.
Long-term life at sea would crush the sailors' willpower. Even self-destructive actions would not be surprising, so they needed frequent stops at ports to give sailors time to relieve their mental stress.
Secondly, as the theory of capital clearly stated:
Once profits exceeded 300%, capital would dare to risk the guillotine.
Loguetown's taxes were almost nonexistent, and it was the most important transportation hub in the East Blue.
No merchant would refuse to conduct business on the island.
Even if merchants with noble backgrounds avoided it due to pressure from the World Government, countless independent merchants would flock there instead.
Therefore, Reddy did not care about the rumors.
If anyone truly believed them and caused chaos, they would simply be hanged in the square.
Did they think the three decrees were a joke?
As for those influenced by the rumors and choosing to leave the island... This world had no shortage of people living below the poverty line. As long as there was enough appeal, he was not worried about a massive population loss.
Moreover, he still had many trump cards up his sleeve.
Hancock could not understand why Reddy ignored the rumors and instead chose to pick on a mermaid girl.
Driven by curiosity, she took a closer look at the mermaid girl, whose tears were welling up in her eyes.
But she saw nothing special.
To her, Shirahoshi was just an ordinary mermaid, albeit a bit larger in size and of noble status. There was no reason for Reddy to bully this little princess.
"The three-year-old kid next door is tougher than her."
Daisy, a former officer of the Kuja Pirates, openly mocked Shirahoshi, who looked like she was about to cry again.
"Shut up."
The snipper, Long, glared at Daisy.
Daisy raised her hands in surrender but continued to watch the crybaby princess with great interest.
"Is that why?"
Hancock pondered, glancing briefly at Reddy. Upon reflection, this man did seem to have particular expectations for children.
She had never been to the satellite island next to Punk Hazard, but she knew it housed some orphans and adults taken in by Reddy.
Honestly, she also did not understand why Reddy had not relocated these children to Loguetown after taking control of the town.
The environment here was still poor, but accommodating a group of orphans would not be difficult.
"Crying won't solve anything!"
Nami finally could not hold back and pushed her way out from among the former Kuja Pirates officers.
The events in the square naturally could not escape the notice of Nami, Loguetown's big sister and business tycoon.
Initially, she had not planned to come, especially since the visitors were from Fish-Man Island.
But for some reason, she found herself drawn there and coincidentally ran into Hancock and the former Kuja Pirates officers, joining their group.
Since arriving, she had been watching Shirahoshi.
At first, she was very dissatisfied with Reddy.
Shirahoshi's situation was almost identical to her own when she faced the Arlong Pirates.
Seeing Shirahoshi only cry made Nami furious, and in a fit of impulsiveness, she stepped forward.
Everyone, including Reddy, turned to look at her, but Nami did not care. She stared up at Shirahoshi and angrily shouted, "Do you even know why he's treating you like this?"
Shirahoshi did not know when she had offended another human girl and timidly replied, "I... I really don't know."
Nami was exasperated. Frustrated, she pointed at Reddy and yelled, "Then why don't you ask him?"
"Huh... Is that allowed?"
Shirahoshi was shocked. She peeked at Reddy but quickly averted her gaze.
This man was truly too terrifying.
I don't dare to ask.
"Shirahoshi... You can do it!"
Fukaboshi silently cheered for his sister, his right hand clenched into a fist.
Though he did not know why Nami was so angry, he understood that this human girl was acting out of kindness.
"Lift your head!"
Nami was infuriated that Shirahoshi treated Reddy like a monster.
Even she had managed to endure the Arlong Pirates' oppression alone.
But Shirahoshi was different.
Though she did not know Fukaboshi and Jinbe's exact relationship with Shirahoshi, she knew they were on her side.
Having people stand firmly behind her against an Emperor of the Sea—wasn't that enough?
Shirahoshi trembled and instinctively raised her head.
But the moment she met Reddy's gaze, tears welled up in her eyes again.
"Don't cry!"
Nami strode forward and kicked Shirahoshi's tail.
It did not hurt, but Shirahoshi was frightened. Tears streamed down her face, but she dared not make a sound, biting her lip to suppress her sobs.
Fukaboshi could not bear to see his sister like this and gently reminded her, "Shirahoshi, don't forget what Lord Reddy said to us on Fish-Man Island."
"Huh?"
Shirahoshi turned her teary eyes to Fukaboshi, hoping for clearer guidance.
Fukaboshi was about to speak when he felt a chilling gaze. He quickly swallowed his words and reluctantly looked away, unable to face his pitiful sister.
"I am Jinbe, from Fish-Man Island. Pleased to meet you."
Jinbe suddenly stepped forward and bowed solemnly to Nami.
Nami was startled.
Her attention had been entirely on Shirahoshi, and the sudden appearance of a fish-man made her instinctively think the Arlong Pirates had chased her to Loguetown.
Shirahoshi, inspired, imitated him and softly said to Nami, "I am Shirahoshi, daughter of King Neptune, from Fish-Man Island. Pleased to meet you."
"Louder!"
Nami, unhappy about being startled by Jinbe, took her anger out on Shirahoshi.
Shirahoshi was frightened again and looked to her brother for help, but Nami interrupted with an even louder shout.
"Look at me!"
Nami kicked Shirahoshi's tail again in frustration. "What did you just say?"
Shirahoshi bit her lip, tears in her eyes. But Nami's presence was nowhere near as intimidating as Reddy's, so she mustered the courage to shout.
"I am Shirahoshi, daughter of King Neptune! Pleased to meet you!"
Nami patted Shirahoshi's tail in satisfaction, then turned to leave. However, she happened to meet Reddy's "mischievous" gaze.
Reddy smiled faintly and ordered, "You'll be responsible for hosting her. Don't disappoint me."
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